An airstrike by South Sudan’s air force killed at least 19 in Nasir, following the withdrawal of government forces after clashes with the White Army. Accusations of collaboration with the White Army against First Vice President Riek Machar’s faction have emerged. Medical services report severe injuries and deaths, raising concerns of retaliation and regional instability.
An airstrike conducted by South Sudan’s air force resulted in the deaths of at least 19 individuals in the eastern part of the country, as reported by local residents. This incident occurred less than two weeks after government forces retreated from the region following severe confrontations with an ethnic militia known as the White Army, raising concerns of a potential resurgence of civil conflict reminiscent of the 2013-2018 war that claimed numerous lives.
The government attributes the conflict to the faction led by First Vice President Riek Machar, who is of the Nuer ethnic group. Machar’s group is accused of cooperating with the White Army, which previously fought alongside his forces against the Dinka loyalists supporting President Salva Kiir. Machar’s party has refuted these claims of involvement in the recent unrest.
On March 7, approximately 27 soldiers, including a South Sudanese general, were killed when a UN helicopter tasked with their evacuation from Nasir came under fire. Information Minister Michael Makuei confirmed to the media that air force strikes were executed in Nasir on a Monday morning.
Kang Wan, a community leader from Nasir, indicated that the attack occurred late on Sunday night. Of the 19 fatalities, 15 died instantly, while the remaining succumbed to injuries. A resident reported witnessing 16 corpses, adding that three others died later. According to Wan, “All of them they got burned, everything got burned.”
Medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres confirmed that its facility in nearby Ulang received three critically injured patients from Nasir, noting that two patients were pronounced dead on arrival due to severe burn injuries. Nasir County Commissioner James Gatluak Lew, aligned with Machar, expressed concern that the South Sudanese military may be executing reprisals for the helicopter incident.
Last week, Uganda announced the deployment of special forces in South Sudan’s capital, Juba, aimed at providing security. The South Sudanese government initially denied the presence of Ugandan troops, though Makuei later acknowledged that certain Ugandan units were present to assist the national army as required.
The recent airstrike in Nasir, South Sudan, has tragically resulted in numerous casualties amid escalating tensions between government forces and the White Army. As accusations circulate regarding political alliances, the humanitarian toll continues to rise with reports of severe injuries and fatalities. The involvement of external forces and the potential for renewed conflict pose significant challenges to regional stability.
Original Source: www.canberratimes.com.au
